Contents

History

Yesmail first started as a Web directory in 1995 and was later named Starting Point Directory in 1997, the company became one of the top 10 most visited sites on the web. Rebranded as Yesmail, the business grew based on its ability to use technology to manage its database of millions of e-mail addresses. Yesmail’s growth led to a $37 million IPO in the fall of 1999, yet was acquired by CMGI later that year.[1] Yesmail was later acquired by infoUSA in 2003.[2]

In November, 2006, Yesmail agreed to pay a $50,717 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 by sending unsolicited commercial e-mails after consumers asked it to stop doing so. The FTC charged Yesmail, doing business as @Once at the time of the violation in 2004, with sending e-mail messages on behalf of its clients more than 10 business days after recipients had opted out.[3] Citing the problem as one of the minor technical issues allowed under the Act, and not a violation of federal law, Yesmail deemed the charges too costly to fight, and agreed to settle.[4]

Yesmail held its first client summit on March 1-2, 2007 at the Wynn Las Vegas. The event included Yesmail clients such as Coca Cola, Kodak, Prism, and Ziff Davis. The summit gathers Yesmail's clients to discuss email marketing strategy and goals. [5]